The following details how this disease specifically affects jumping technique:
Pain and Discomfort.
- Chronic Pain: Bone spur disease causes chronic pain due to inflammation and joint degeneration. This pain leads to a reluctance to perform high impact activities such as jumping.
- Altered Movement: To avoid pain, horses may change their movement patterns, leading to irregular gait and compromised jumping technique.
Reduced Flexibility
- Joint Stiffness: Cartilage degeneration and bone spur formation limit the flexibility of the hock joints. This restricts the range of motion necessary for effective impulsion and take-off during jumping.
- Difficulty in Extension: The inability to fully extend the hock affects the horse’s ability to achieve adequate elevation and length of the jump.
Loss of Strength and Power
- Muscle Weakening: Constant pain and stiffness can lead to muscle atrophy in the hind limbs, reducing the strength and power needed for jumping.
- Inadequate impulsion: Lack of strength in the hock decreases the horse’s ability to impulse with force and accuracy, resulting in less efficient jumping.
Alterations in Jumping Technique
- Pain Compensation: Horses may attempt to compensate for pain by distributing weight unevenly or using a different jumping style, which can result in suboptimal performance and increase the risk of injury.
- Unsafe Landing: Stiffness and pain in the hock can cause the horse to land unsafely, which not only affects performance but also increases the risk of falling and further injury.
Psychological Impact
- Reluctance to Jump: The association of jumping with pain can lead to a psychological reluctance to jump, affecting the horse’s confidence and willingness to compete.
Conclusion
Bone spur disease severely affects jumping technique in top competition horses by causing pain, reducing flexibility, decreasing strength, and altering jumping mechanics. Proper management of pain and inflammation, along with a specific rehabilitation program, are essential to minimize the impact of this disease on the performance of jumping horses.
